Hook nails late winner
Replacement James Hook goaled a penalty in the 74th minute to give the Lions a scrappy 26-23 win over WP.
The rain abated from kickoff to climax, but the heavy showers around lunchtime certainly left their mark on the Newlands turf. The greasy ball was even harder to field given the turbulent wind, as WP fullback Joe Pietersen indicated on more than one occasion.
The Lions employed the high-ball tactic to good effect as Pietersen and company dropped several bombs to hand the visitors both territory and possession. The first quarter was characterised by garryowens, probes for touch and low-trajectory grubbers, and for the most part it was the Lions who executed these kicks better.
Willem de Waal kicked two penalties and a drop goal in the first half while Pietersen sunk a drop goal of his own, but unfortunately for the home fans, WP just never looked like scoring a try. The Newlands’ faithful screamed whenever the hosts drew close, but as the move broke down a more prominent cry of ‘Lions, Lions’ could be heard from the travelling contingent.
Wales No 8 Andy Powell stood out for the tourists, beating the first tackler with his dangerous combo of quick feet and powerful upper-body strength. It was a Powell break that sparked the first try as the Lions’ backs and forwards combined to expose some poor WP defence.
Powell offloaded to Martyn Williams who in turn popped a smart pass to Stephen Jones. Rob Kearney took it wide, throwing a great floating pass in spite of conditions. Tommy Bowe received the ball on WP’s 22, spun out of one tackle, stepped inside another and bust through two more to dot down.
Bowe’s direct running set up the visitors’ second try in the 35th minute, and again credit must go to the shocking WP defence. Bowe slid through the first line effortlessly and was eventually hauled in by Tonderai Chavhanga after repelling the hapless Pietersen. He also found the time to deliver a basketball-pass to fellow winger Ugo Monye, who showed great anticipation and pace to finish.
De Waal goaled a penalty right on half-time to reduce the deficit to 18-12, but WP were struggling to stay in the match.
The scrums were a mess with both teams falling foul to a slippery pitch while the Lions’ lineout were solid on their own ball and competitive on WP’s. The breakdowns were also a mess with no team obtaining a clear advantage.
De Waal’s penalty attempt just after the break dropped under the bar, but several moments later he was on target to further narrow the gap. Province began to believe, and this was exemplified by lock Anton van Zyl’s scuffle with opposite number Donncha O’Callaghan.WP were outclassed but were determined to go down fighting.
But there was never enough accuracy in their fight for it to amount to any real threat. They bounced off too many first-time tackles and dropped too many passes. There were several turnovers that the Cape crowd cheered, but these were very minor and insignificant victories.
The Lions piled on the pressure and eventually the WP resistance crumbled again in the 57th minute. They built through the phases never shifting out from the first-receiver, and eventually Williams flopped over in the corner.
Stephen Jones’s goal-kicking radar was off in this fixture and he’ll surely be keen to get back up to the highveld. Newlands is notorious for its difficult goal-kicking conditions but that hardly seem to affect De Waal, who kicked an important penalty in the 61st minute to keep the hosts in the game at 23-18.
Province drew level three minutes later when a sustained period of pressure paid dividends. They looked to have butchered an opportunity but remained patient, and when the overlap was created De Waal threw a good overhead pass to Pietersen who showcased his finishing ability. De Waal, couldn’t convert from the touchline, but at 23-23 with 16 minutes remaining, the stage was set for a dramatic finish.
Hook didn’t fare any better than Jones with his first penalty attempt, and so the Lions failed to take the lead. Brimming with confidence, the hosts fought their way into Lions territory but were undone by a handling error again. This time it was De Waal who dropped the ball cold.
Hook goaled a difficult penalty from 50m out to regain the lead and from here the Lions fought to hang on. Again they were helped by WP’s errors, an attacking movement in Lions territory coming to nought due to a forward pass. On the hooter, Pietersen also grubbered the ball away to hand the visitors victory.
It was a far from polished performance from the men in red, but the bottom line is the Lions have won their fifth match in succession and gained further match preparation ahead of next Saturday’s Test in Durban.
By Jon Cardinelli, at Newlands
June 13th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
#346 carol: Today…two weeks from now!!!!!!
June 13th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
#339 gunther: Luke was nowhere… the only time I saw him was when he jumped on a player who had already scored a try and he was too busy moaning to cover him
June 13th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
#346 carol: Carol it was 26 here today and full sun. Hope the weather holds out for you. See a cold front coming again and its forecast for 21 on Thursday and Friday with rain. Now do you have to bring the British weather with you? hehehe.
Quite a lot of Lions supporters here in Durbs now. Think the ones that watched the Wed night game stayed here in Durbs and waiting for the test on Sat.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
#350 K9 the Lion: King of Beasts: Hi K9, really looking forward to meeting you at LOFTUS !!! Get GBS to tell us where to meet up!
June 13th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
#347 Puma: IMO it would have mattered zero had those 3 been there. The ref had it in for the Lions today and kept WP in the game. Should have been 40 – 20 or so
June 13th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
#350 Langenhoven:
Papers, UCT?
Like in Masters, or something….
I am waiting….
June 13th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Aan my opregte WP maters, jammer oor die verloor, ek het gehoop WP wen…. maar nouja, dit wassie beskore nie.
Met so paar blinde WP supporters hier met verskuilde agendas pla dit my nie veel dat WP verloor het nie, sleg klomp bliksems…
June 13th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Imagine how easily the Boks could win it with Watson at openside and Grant at 10?
June 13th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Cheers all. Going out to dinner now.
Go Proteas.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
#353 carol: No I’ll tell him. I go more to Loftus than him hehehehe
June 13th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
#352 Puma: Puma, we thought Cape Town looked like Gloucester in December!! Cold and wet!!
26 sounds just like heaven, I will pack my shorts if it has been that hot!
June 13th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
#355 Pietman: Empty vessels often make the loudest noise. Confuse them with rationality and they disappear, like a **** in a thunderstorm
June 13th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
#356 grootblousmile: Goed gesê. Aan die WP ondersteuner wat sy rugby ken, sê ek ook jammer oor die verloor.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Lukas Lukas…sal jy die boere kom ly? generaal, generaal…
June 13th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
#357 cab: ? Based on what? Or you being ironic, sarcastic or just plain having a laugh
June 13th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
#355 Pietman: Die Leeus gaan die s14 wen dan gaan jy nog nie daai pampiere gesien het nie…..so dis nog faaaaarken lank. Hyt nou eers gaan inskryf hehe
June 13th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
#357 cab:
Watson and Grant are not eligible to play for the BL on this tour.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
#353 carol: I will ask K9 if he wants to come to the Airport as well to meet up when you land…
Then we can discuss plans for Loftus…
June 13th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
#357 cab: Cab don’t get ahead of yourself. This was a B team the WP side played. Look how well Cheetahs also played against them? WE need Brussow and M. Steyn to start. M. Steyn can kick and Brussow will win us all the ball at the breakdowns. Now need to get that through to the 3 coaches.
Off to dinner now. Cheers all out of here.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
#339 gunther: Gunther…they got very close…every player had moments but they did have the chance to win…one one good play was required to make it happen…It was plain stupidity that prevented the shock of the tour… Luke was quiet but almost lead his team to a great win…that says a lot…sometimes its best that the general stay clear of the messy stuff
June 13th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
#358 Puma: Enjoy Puma, that is a bit early isn’t it?
June 13th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
#364 goyougoodthing2:
how else do you explain that scoreline?
When Ou Doos is right we must acknowledge, what else?
#366 tight head:
hoekom?
June 13th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
#365 K9 the Lion: King of Beasts: Nee wat, die Leeus sal lank voor dit wen. Mens moet iets tussen die ore hê om ‘n graad te kry.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
#366 tight head:
June 13th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
#337 Loserer:
poms have to have something to complain about they are only truly happy if they can have a moan…
June 13th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
#360 carol: Been very hot this week Carol but a cold front coming up for Thursday. Hope its fine for Saturday.
Now really need to go. Going to dinner with some of our friends. Catch you all later.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
#359 K9 the Lion: King of Beasts:
#367 grootblousmile:
A couple of hours at the airport may just be an offer he can’t resist!!
Less than a week GBS, I am not sleeping well now btw!
June 13th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
#362 goyougoodthing2:
I know.
But I have got him by the ‘curly’at present, let’s see what he comes up with…he is one big mouth pretender, and I have him right up there against the wall…he has to admit, or quit.
Now…..let’s see what he’s got….
June 13th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Some people’s ideological ilogic baffles… as a captain of a rugby team the best place to lead from is hiding in the showers?
wtf kind of logic is that? Only Snor himself could say something more stupid
June 13th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
#374 gunther: Does your ‘belter’ moan?
June 13th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
hoekom slaan hulle die poep uit die Gauteng leeus en sharks, maar nie weepee?
Bulls is volgende op, hier kom groot pak, hulle het geen vegters.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
#370 Langenhoven:
Hey, moenie nou mooi praatjies maak nie Langkop, antwoord my man, jou slapgat…het jy n graad behaal op Ikeys, of het jy nie?
June 13th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
#378 goyougoodthing2: That was a laugh. Let the captain hide, while his men does the work.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
#369 Langenhoven:
if keeping clear of the messy stuff is what is required of a general then he is an excellent general indeed..
June 13th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Now I’m going to watch the cricket. Geez how did we survive without PVR??
June 13th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
#377 Pietman: He’s got no official qualifications BruVVa…. ignore the **** !
June 13th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
#371 cab:
1. C Lions Team.
2. Player 23 for WP Lawrence.
3. Player 24 Touch judge
4. The ‘fetcher’ was MIA.
#377 Pietman: I want to see this play out then… should be good for a laugh
June 13th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
#362 Ed_the_Lion: Ons is darm nie almal mense met agendas nie!
June 13th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
#384 Loserer: Want the score?
June 13th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
#379 carol:
i have several belters who all moan… when they get together they sound like a finely tuned orchestra… the St Petersburg Philharmonic..
June 13th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
#386 goyougoodthing2: Good summary.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
#386 grootblousmile:
Dan moet hy dit NOU erken, en maak soos roggoff my bru, of verskoning vra vir sy bedrog,….ek wil NOU weet.
Soos in NOU.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
#382 Ed_the_Lion: I think the last guy to do that was Hitler. Before that Napoleon. Both had big mouths and were quite short too
June 13th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
#386 goyougoodthing2:
yessus, u sure u dont want to throw suzie in there?
even the kiwis dont make excuses like that.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
#387 Loserer: Ek weet dit. Party WP manne en dames hier wat vir WP ondersteun en nie vir Luke aanbid nie. Vir hulle sê ek mooi probeer en ek het gehoop WP wen.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
#374 gunther: Too right…
June 13th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
#389 gunther: They can’t all be poms though!
June 13th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Die SA krieketspan doen goed… Windies kniediep in die poef
June 13th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
#355 Pietman: Het jy vir Trevor manuel ook gevra vir sy papers…I Must be great If I can make it big in London without papers … MY clients don’t pay for papers though… they pay for performance…I cost them more than their directors and yet they think that I am value for money…Top of the food chain mate…
papers??
June 13th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
#388 K9 the Lion: King of Beasts: NOOOOO